Blackened Catfish with Cajun-Spiced Rice
A soulful Southern-inspired dish featuring blackened catfish seasoned with bold spices paired with fragrant Cajun rice. This Southern American-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 50 minutes, pairs catfish fillets, paprika, cayenne pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 pieces (6 oz each) catfish fillets
- 2 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 1/2 cups long grain white rice
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 1 medium, diced green bell pepper
- 2, diced celery stalks
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (for rice)
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, combine 2 tsp paprika, 1 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1/2 tsp dried thyme, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Rub this spice mix evenly over 4 catfish fillets. Set aside.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the 4 seasoned catfish fillets and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side until the edges are crispy and fish flakes easily with a fork. Remove and keep warm.
- Step 3: In a medium saucepan, melt 2 tbsp butter over medium heat. Add 1 diced yellow onion, 1 diced green bell pepper, and 2 diced celery stalks. Sauté for 5-6 minutes until vegetables are soft and fragrant.
- Step 4: Add 1 1/2 cups long grain white rice to the sautéed vegetables, stirring to coat the grains with butter and cook for 1 minute.
- Step 5: Pour in 3 cups chicken broth, then stir in 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper, and 1/2 tsp dried oregano. Bring to a boil.
- Step 6: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18-20 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and let stand covered for 5 minutes.
- Step 7: Fluff the rice with a fork, stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, and drizzle remaining 1 tbsp olive oil over the catfish before serving alongside the Cajun-spiced rice.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Blackened Catfish with Cajun-Spiced Rice take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (15 min prep + 35 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Blackened Catfish with Cajun-Spiced Rice?
Refrigerate in a covered airtight container for up to 3–4 days (FDA FoodKeeper guideline for cooked fish). Store any fresh salsa or citrus-based garnish in a separate container — it keeps for up to 2 days. Freeze cooked fish (without fresh garnishes) for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently at 275°F until just warmed through to preserve texture.
Can I substitute ingredients in Blackened Catfish with Cajun-Spiced Rice?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Blackened Catfish with Cajun-Spiced Rice for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Blackened Catfish with Cajun-Spiced Rice?
Southern American seafood like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
